Reported/Indirect Speech in Yoruba

Overview

Reported speech allows you to relay what someone else said without quoting them directly. At the B2 level, mastering indirect speech with the complementizer "pé" (that) and "kí" (that, for commands) is essential for narrative, journalism, and everyday reporting of conversations. Yoruba reported speech is simpler than English in one key way: there is no tense shifting.

The basic pattern uses "sọ pé" (said that) or "sọ fún...pé" (told...that): "Ó sọ pé ó máa wá" (He said that he would come). Unlike English, where "will" becomes "would" in reported speech, Yoruba keeps the original aspect markers unchanged. This makes Yoruba reported speech more straightforward once you know the basic pattern.

For reported commands, Yoruba uses "sọ fún...kí" (told...to): "Olùkọ́ sọ fún wa kí a kà ìwé" (The teacher told us to read). The "kí" introduces the commanded action. Direct speech is also common in Yoruba and is introduced by "pé" without any further changes.

How It Works

Type	Pattern	Example
Statement	S + sọ pé + reported clause	Ó sọ pé ó máa wá. (He said he would come.)
Told someone	S + sọ fún + person + pé + clause	Wọ́n sọ fún mi pé kò sí. (They told me he's not around.)
Command	S + sọ fún + person + kí + clause	Olùkọ́ sọ fún wa kí a kà ìwé. (Teacher told us to read.)
Heard that	S + gbọ́ pé + clause	Mo gbọ́ pé wọ́n ti lọ. (I heard they left.)

Key feature: No tense/aspect shifting. The reported clause keeps its original markers.

Examples in Context

Yoruba	English	Note
Ó sọ pé ó máa wá.	He said he would come.	No aspect shift
Wọ́n sọ fún mi pé kò sí.	They told me he's not around.	Told + person
Olùkọ́ sọ fún wa kí a kà ìwé.	The teacher told us to read.	Reported command
Mo gbọ́ pé wọ́n ti lọ.	I heard that they have left.	Heard + report
Ó sọ pé kò lè wá.	He said he can't come.	Negative report
Wọ́n sọ pé iṣẹ́ náà ti parí.	They said the work is finished.	Reported completion
Ó béèrè bóyá mo ti jẹun.	He asked whether I had eaten.	Reported question
Bàbá sọ fún mi kí n máa kàwé.	Father told me to study.	Parental instruction

Common Mistakes

Shifting Tense/Aspect Like in English

• Wrong: Changing aspect markers when reporting (as English shifts tense).
• Right: Keep the original markers: "Ó sọ pé ó máa wá" (He said he will come -- máa stays).
• Why: Yoruba does not shift aspect markers in reported speech. This is a significant difference from English.

Forgetting pé After sọ

• Wrong: Ó sọ ó máa wá. (He said he would come -- missing pé)
• Right: Ó sọ pé ó máa wá. (He said that he would come.)
• Why: The complementizer pé (that) is required to introduce the reported clause.

Using pé for Reported Commands

• Wrong: Olùkọ́ sọ fún wa pé a kà ìwé. (Teacher told us that we read.)
• Right: Olùkọ́ sọ fún wa kí a kà ìwé. (Teacher told us to read.)
• Why: Commands use kí (not pé) to introduce the commanded action.

Usage Notes

Yoruba frequently uses both direct and indirect speech in the same narrative. Direct speech is common and adds vividness. When the reporting verb is "sọ pé," the following clause can be either direct or indirect speech -- context and pronouns disambiguate. At the B2 level, be comfortable with both styles.

Practice Tips

1. Report daily conversations: After a conversation, practice reporting what was said: "Ó sọ pé..." (He said that...).
2. Practice the sọ fún...kí pattern: Report instructions and commands: "Ìyá sọ fún mi kí n jẹun" (Mother told me to eat).
3. Read news in Yoruba: News articles heavily use reported speech patterns, providing excellent practice material.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Conjunctions and Connectors -- pé as a complementizer
• Next steps: Formal and Oratorical Register -- formal speech reporting